During the Spring Term, 2024, Carcroft Change Makers worked collaboratively to develop the ‘Carcroft Pledge’. We can’t wait to share this with whole school during our Summer Term!
Category : Personal Development
Personal Development
Online Safety
Our pupils are growing up in a world of ever-changing technology. While we feel that the use of technology is a largely positive aspect of modern life, we cannot ignore the risks that can be associated.
Throughout school we aim to teach children:
- about the impact of cyber-bullying and what to do if they have been affected.
- to be vigilant when communicating online recognising that people may not always be who they say they are and to be sensible about what they share.
- to tell an adult they trust if something is upsetting them.
- to question the reliability of information given through a web based source.
- to search responsibly for information while using internet browsers.
We understand that much of our pupil’s use of the internet will occur at home, away from the school filters.
Below are a list of useful websites, advice and resources that you may find helpful when navigating the issue of online safety with your child. At the bottom of this page are resources that your child can directly access as well to help them learn about online safety.
Useful resources and links
Thinkuknow http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk
Thinkuknow is an education programme from the National Crime Agency’s CEOP Command. Since 2006, it aims to ensure that everyone has access to this practical information – children, young people, their parents and carers and the professionals who work with them.
Internet Matters https://www.internetmatters.org/advice/esafety-leaflets-resources/
A comprehensive web resource with a wide array of tips and advice on how to navigate the online world with your child. Some of their guidance we attach below but you can find even more by visiting the link.
National Online Safety https://nationalonlinesafety.com/resources/platform-guides/
National Online Safety’s mission is to make the internet a safer place for children. They aim to do this by equipping school staff, parents and children with the knowledge they need to understand online dangers and how best to react should an incident arise. The link above provides up to date information about a wide variety of social media apps and platforms your child might be using.
NSPCC http://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/share-aware/
The NSPCC are the first to admit that the internet is amazing. Children can play, learn, create and connect – opening up a whole world of exciting possibilities. But with the digital world changing all the time, how can you make sure your child’s staying safe? That’s where the NSPCC come in. Whether you’re an online expert or you’re not sure where to start, their tools and advice will help you keep your child safe.
Childnet http://www.childnet.com/parents-and-carers
Childnet International is a registered UK charity that aims to make the internet a safe place for children and young people. Packed with resources it is a great resource for parents.
CEOP http://ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/
Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) is part of the National Crime Agency and their website can be used to report if you are worried about online abuse or the way someone is communicating online.
BBC https://www.bbc.com/ownit
The BBC have a website and app called Own It. The website has a lot of content for children to help them navigate their online lives, and the free smartphone app comes with a special keyboard which can intervene with help and support in the moments that children need it the most.
SafetoNet https://safetonet.com/
SafeToNet is technology that educates children “in-the-moment” as they use their device. It is a safeguarding assistant that helps them become responsible and safe digital citizens. Its power lies in a smart keyboard that detects risks in real-time. It steers children away from trouble by filtering harmful outgoing messages before they can be sent and any damage can be done.
A guide to Apps & Social Media
The number of apps and social media channels your child could be exposed to grow all the time, as does an app’s functionality. We recommend you visit Net Aware to read the latest and most current advice on over 70 apps to ensure you know what they do, how you can limit their features as well as recommended age restrictions.
The apps included are:
- Fortnite
- Snapchat
- YouTube
- Minecraft
- Clash of Clans & Clash Royale
- Kik
- Friv
- Dubsmash
- Wink
- YOLO
- TikTok
- And many, many more
Resources for children to use
Below are some links that children themselves can access for help when navigating the tricky subject of online safety,
Reception – Year 2
Below are a number of links that are tailored for children in the younger year groups.
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/5_7/
https://www.netsmartzkids.org/
https://www.childnet.com/resources/smartie-the-penguin
Year 3 – Year 6
Below are links more suitable for older children.
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/8_10/
https://www.nsteens.org/
Rainbow Ribbon Dance
During today’s activity, the children participated in a rainbow ribbon dance session.Each child received a ribbon and followed along with an instructional video to work on their hand-eye coordinationThe children loved waving their ribbons.
XP Outdoors – Den Building
Crew Godley took their learning outdoors for an exciting den-building challenge! Working together, we used natural and recycled materials to design and construct our own shelter.
We had to communicate, share ideas, solve problems and support one another as we worked as a crew. We thought carefully about how to make our den strong, stable and weatherproof, testing our ideas and making improvements along the way.
This challenge encouraged us to demonstrate our HoWLs and Character Traits, particularly compassion, courage and craftsmanship. We discovered that successful crew work isn’t about one person doing all the work – it is about listening to each other, sharing responsibility and helping everyone to contribute.
Most importantly, we had fun learning outside, getting creative and challenging ourselves together!
Fine motor skills
As part of their morning task, they developed their fine motor skills by carefully threading pasta onto string. This activity helped to strengthen their hand-eye coordination, concentration, and control of small hand movements.
Crew McLoughlin: Our First Week Back So Far!
What a fantastic start we have had to our first week back in Crew McLoughlin! And we’re only part way through the week! 😄
We have been busy getting back into the swing of school, reconnecting with our friends and beginning to explore our crew guiding question:
How can we work together to achieve an end goal?
Miss McLoughlin was super impressed this morning when some of the children could already remember our guiding question! We have been discovering that reaching an end goal takes teamwork, perseverance, listening, concentration and sometimes a few attempts before we get there.
🍬 The Jelly Baby Challenge
We completed our Jelly Baby Challenge and the children were SO excited! Their challenge was to work together to keep their jelly babies safe while resisting the temptation to eat them. Amazingly, our jelly babies survived… although there were definitely a few very suspicious sniffs and licks! 😂
🎶 Copycat Orchestra
We put our listening and attention skills to the test with Copycat Orchestra. The children had to listen carefully, concentrate and copy the sounds and actions. It was lots of fun and a great way to practise the skills we need when working effectively as a crew.
➕ Maths Board Game
We have also been developing our arithmetic skills through a maths board game. The children tackled challenges, shared their thinking and enjoyed a little bit of friendly competition along the way!
Fun at Break
There has been plenty of time for fun too! The toy cars and playing on the tyres have been a big favourite, alongside lots of imaginative games of mums and dads. It has been lovely to see the children settling back into routines, enjoying their play and reconnecting with one another.
📖 Who Are We?
We read My Name Is Not Refugee and used it as a starting point to think about identity and what makes each of us unique. The children then created their own identity portraits, using adjectives to describe themselves. It was wonderful to see the range of thoughtful and positive words they chose!
🎢 Marble Run Rollercoasters
Our marble run rollercoasters have really tested our teamwork skills! Working successfully as mini crews was trickier than we thought and we definitely discovered that achieving an end goal doesn’t always happen straight away. But we’re not giving up! After our debrief, we’ll be having another go tomorrow. We’ll think about what worked, what didn’t and what we can change to make our teamwork even stronger.
And this is only so far… there is still plenty more to come this week! We can’t wait to see what else Crew McLoughlin can achieve together. 💪🌟
Sunshine, Smiles & So Many Memories
We Came. We Sweated. We Conquered☀️🥵The Year 6 residential certainly brought the sunshine! Despite the heatwave, our Y6’s threw themselves into every challenge with enthusiasm, resilience and plenty of water breaks. From adventurous activities to unforgettable moments with friends, it was 3 days full of laughter, teamwork and memories that will last a lifetime. Take a look at some of our favourite highlights!
Embracing Change: From Chrysalis to Secondary School
Today, Crew Godley explored the concept of transformation through the chrysalis stage of a butterfly’s life cycle. We learned that, although a chrysalis appears still on the outside, significant internal change is taking place. We linked this idea to their own transition to secondary school.
We discussed how change is not always visible and that feeling unsettled or unsure is a normal part of growth. We then sorted visible changes and internal feelings associated with moving to a new school, before reflecting on the positive habits they want to develop as they prepare for this next stage.
Carcroft Crowned Cricket Champions
Last week, our Year 3/4 girls’ cricket team took part in a Girls’ Cricket Competition and delivered an outstanding performance throughout. Demonstrating excellent crew work, determination and skill, the team progressed brilliantly and were crowned champions, proudly bringing home the trophy. An incredible achievement – well done to all involved!
Celebrating Our HoWL House Champions: Smithies Shine Bright!
What a fantastic moment for HoWL House as we celebrate our latest champions – Smithies! Their hard work, sense of camaraderie, and determination have truly paid off, and their victory is incredibly well deserved.
To mark the occasion, Smithies took part in an unforgettable glow-in-the-dark dodgeball session – and what a celebration it was! The lights went down, the neon came out, and the energy in the room lit up just as brightly as the players themselves. Laughter, friendly competition, and glowing dodgeballs flying across the court made for a celebration that perfectly matched their vibrant crew spirit.
A huge congratulations once again to Smithies, and of course, a big well done to all the other houses, with only three points this term between Smithies and Carrs!
Mother’s Day
Last week the children created beautiful Mother’s Day cards using their own handprints to form bright, blooming flowers, each one as unique as the child who made it. They also explored paint blowing, carefully guiding colours across the page to create some unique shapes. As they worked, we spoke about the special people in their lives—mums, grandmothers, and other loved ones. Showing off there progress with writing inside the cards themselves.
Keeping our dinner hall clean
At lunch a member of Crew Haddock decided that he wanted to clean our table ready for the next crew to have their lunch. Makes me so proud to see this
